AAP ends 15-year BJP rule in MCD

PNS | New Delhi

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday won the MCD polls with 134 seats, ending the 15-year rule of the BJP in the prestigious municipal corporation and reducing the Congress to just nine seats in a house of 250.

In his first address after the victory, an elated Arvind Kejriwal vowed to improve civic amenities in the national capital, and sought the “blessings” of the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to achieve that.

The BJP, which was predicted to suffer a massive defeat in exit polls, put up a spirited fight, winning 104 municipal wards, while the Congress managed to win just nine, down from 30 in the previous civic poll. Three independents also emerged victorious.

In his address to party workers at the AAP office, the chief minister said the civic body will be rid of “corruption and bribery”.His deputy Manish Sisodia also thanked the voters of Delhi and said it was their mandate that helped the AAP defeat the “world’s biggest and most negative party”.

The counting of votes began at 8 am at 42 centres across Delhi amid tight security, and initial trends was in favour of the BJP. At one point, the BJP was leading in 107 seats and the Aam Aadmi Party in 95.

But as the counting progressed, the AAP went past the BJP and slowly consolidated the lead, finally winning 134 wards.The BJP bagged 104 seats, thus not losing as badly as was predicted by the exit polls.

Independent candidate Shakeela Begum has won the Seelampur seat in northeast Delhi.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the barely 10-year-old party has “defeated” the largest party of the country (BJP) in their stronghold. “The results have once again proved the AAP is a hardcore honest party.”

Singh also said the results were remarkable considering the BJP had gone all guns blazing, deploying all its top leaders, including 17 central ministers, for campaigning.Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said, “Despite 15 years of anti-incumbency, our performance is better. We worked for the people of Delhi at the municipal corporations but may be some people were not happy. There was no anger against the BJP though.”

The mood at the AAP’s office on Rouse Avenue was celebratory since morning with patriotic songs blaring through loudspeakers and the entire premises decked up with colourful balloons.